Our city is teeming with romantic possibilities. | Photo by @overasheville
There’s no dodging Cupid’s arrow — Valentine’s Day is here. Whether you’re celebrating your friendships or sugaring up your sweetheart, we’ve got last-minute Valentine’s Day ideas that will have you loving love.
🌵 Get fantastical with botanicals
If you’re quick, you might have your pick of bouquets using Floom, an online marketplace that partners with florists that deliver locally.
Or, get creative and nab a potted plant from these plant spots. Nothing says forever like a hardy succulent.
If you didn’t score reservations, don’t overthink… grab a drink.
Antidote, 151 Coxe Ave. | Travel back in time to the era of Prohibition at this speakeasy-style bar in South Slope.
The Crow & Quill, 106 N. Lexington Ave. |
Stop into this downtown watering hole for a cozy atmosphere, unique seasonal cocktails, and even try your hand at a cocktail crafting class.
Little Jumbo, 241 Broadway St. | Enjoy live jazz music every Monday and Tuesday from 7-10 p.m. along with delicious craft cocktails at this quaint Five Points bar.
It doesn’t get much more idyllic than bundling up and looking at the stars. Grab some blankets (and maybe a hot drink) and head to one of these spots away from man-made light to take in the sky.
Wine Tasting- Austria Is For Lovers | Monday, Feb. 13 | 6-8 p.m. | Rowan Coffee, 66 Broadway St., Asheville | $60 | Ethan Risinger leads a tasting of three Austrian wines.
Music Movie Mondays Series: WATTSTAX | Monday, Feb. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | Grail Moviehouse, 17 Foundy St., Asheville | $15 | Watch a screening of “WATTSTAX,” the 1973 documentary about the all-star concert held in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, followed by a discussion led by music journalist Bill Kopp.
Tuesday, Feb. 14
Valentines Day Fundraiser + Frances Eliza Live | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 5-7 p.m. | Botainst & Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop, 32 Broadway St. Ste. 110, Asheville | Free | Enjoy soulful tunes and buy raffle tickets for the chance to win a $400+ gift basket — proceeds go to support Helpmate NC’s work of helping survivors of domestic violence.
Punch Bucket Lit Valentine’s Day Rapid Read | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Cellarest Beer Project, 395 Haywood Rd., Asheville | Free | Hear 12 local authors share original works on love in all its many forms.
HAROLD AND MAUDE | Tuesday, Feb. 14, Tuesday, Feb. 14 | Times vary | Grail Moviehouse, 17 Foundy St., Asheville | $10 | Enjoy a special screening of this classic love story.
Wednesday, Feb. 15
An Evening Of Powerful Poetry & Music | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 7 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $20 | This benefit concert for No Simple Disruption features youth artists and special performances from John Medeski & Friends, Oteil Burbridge, DJ Logic, Jeff Sipe, and Maggie Rose.
Oaxacalifornia | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 6 p.m. | Outsider Brewing, 939 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $75 | Chef Luis Martinez presents a Oaxaca-California-themed meal, including beans, scallops aguachile, pollo en adobo, and a chocolate tamal, with an optional beer pairing.
Thursday, Feb. 16
Celebrating Black Asheville | Thursday, Feb. 16 | 2-4 p.m. | Harvest House Community Center, 205 Kenilworth Rd., Asheville | Free | Learn about important moments in local Black history – from guest speakers who lived through the journey – followed by a group discussion.
Beef Hind Quarter Butchery Class | Thursday, Feb. 16 | 6-8 p.m. | The Chop Shop Butchery, 100 Charlotte St., Asheville | $90-$120 | Learn pro tips for breaking down and butchering meats at home.
Friday, Feb. 17
An Evening With Lotus | Friday, Feb. 17 | 7 p.m. | Salvage Station, 468 Riverside Dr., Asheville | $29.50-$35 | This band’s dance-inducing, high-energy shows have made them festival favorites.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Time has nearly run out to submit feedback for Buncombe County’s Comprehensive Plan. The open comment period on its draft plan ends today, Feb. 13 and will go to the commissioners for adoption in spring. Chime in. ⏰
Eat
Next up in Cultura’s Cultivated Community Series is South Carolina chef and “Chopped” champion Nikko Cagalana. The dinner, slated for Thursday, Feb. 23, will feature nostalgic Fillipino food and proceeds will support One80 Place, an org that works to end and prevent homelessness. RSVP to get tickets. 🍤
Celebrate the bounty of citrus season with a jar of homemade preserved lemons. Chef Katie Button just dropped a recipe — and it only involves two ingredients. 🍋
Community
Asheville Independent Restaurants has announced Meghan Rogers as its new executive director. The former Asheville Downtown Association executive director will officially start in March. In a press release, she shared “I look forward to continuing [AIR’s] strong program of work in education, collaboration, and advocacy.”
Active
Looking to form connections, stay motivated, or just have fun after work or on weekends? Asheville Parks & Recreation sports leagues allow thousands of local adults to get active by playing volleyball, tennis, basketball, and more.Registration is now open for softball and flag football on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Play ball, Asheville.*
Cause
Do you know an everyday hero that deserves recognition? The American Red Cross is accepting nominations for its Salute to WNC Heroes awards event. The deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 15.
Featured Deal
Amazing Lash Studio Biltmore Village is celebrating National Lash Day all month long by hosting a giveaway with a chance to win a year of lash extensions. Bonus: Get $20 off your first full set of Lash extensions just for entering the giveaway now through Tuesday, Feb. 28. Snag the deal.*
Seasonal
Valentine’s Day may be tomorrow, but it’s not too late to order that special someone a bouquet of fresh flowers. Don’t have time to cross reference all of the florists in town? Enter: Floom, an online marketplace that partners with talented florists that deliver locally. Shop Valentine’s Day arrangements. 💐 *
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FESTIVAL
It’s nearly kilt-o’clock 🏰
The Asheville Celtic Festival returns to action
Traditional dance at the Asheville Celtic Fest. | Photo provided
We can practically hear the bagpipes. The Asheville Celtic Festival returns to the WNC Ag Center on Saturday, Feb. 18 for its third year of kilt-wearing, sheaf-tossing action.
The event, presented by nonprofit Asheville Celtic Group, seeks to educate and reconnect WNC residents with the Celtic tradition, which has long contributed to our region’s cultural heritage by way of Scottish and Scotch-Irish immigrants.
Here’s what’s on the roster this year:
Live music from Celtic-inspired bands Albannach, SYR, and more
Border collie herding and shepherding demonstrations
Whiskey tastings with Highland Park, Macallan, and Naked Grouse
Food from The Scottish Cottage and Celtic Cafe, and mead from Fae Nectar
Historical Celtic lectures from historian John Miles
Plenty of crafts, kilts, and other cultural vendors
What to know before you go:
General admission tickets start at $24 for adults and $8 for kids under 12
Event runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at WNC Ag Center (Davis Event Center, 761 Boylston Hwy., Fletcher)
Pets are not allowed
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Laura.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Reflect on the Asheville Blues, here.
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Editorial:Laura Hackett, Brook Bolen, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
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